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Advertisements for truck driving schools will lead you to believe it is possible to make a hundred thousand dollars in your first year of trucking. However, this is a typically not the case. In reality, there is not much you can learn in a two week course, especially not how to properly drive a big rig. You will, though, learn everything that is necessary to obtain your Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Having your CDL is the start of your learning process and will put you on the path to becoming a successful truck driver.
It is important to begin your truck driver training knowing full well that there is a strong possibility that you will make nowhere near one hundred thousand dollars any time soon. It is possible to have a lucrative career in long-haul trucking, though. Here are a few tips on how to make extra money in the trucking business:
Working extra hours will help you earn extra money. Most long-haul truckers don't work a typical 5-day, 40-hour workweek. Many truckers work upwards of 70 hours a week and rarely feel the comfort of their home bed. One might think that 70 hours of driving per week is insane - and it is. No truck driver actually drives for 70 hours in a week. Included in those hours are other aspects of the job - loading, unloading, waiting between loads, truck repairs, securing loads and other aspects of the job that do not actually include driving. It is important to remember, however, that truck drivers typically get paid by the mile. So the more time spent driving equals more money in pay. When it comes to actual driving time, a typical trucker probably averages 50-60 hours per week. It is also important to understand that many of those hours are not at 65 miles per hour, either. You must factor in traffic jams and driving through cities and towns.
You must also consider the cost of food. A truck driver must do a majority of their eating on the road, and we all know that the cost of diner food and fast food can quickly add up. If you can find a way to budget a weekly amount for food and drink - and stick to the budget - you will be able to save a little extra cash. Is it possible to eat for a week on a budget of $100? It's tough, but it can be done. Besides, you'll need some of that extra cash for other items such as office supplies, sleeping bag or blanket, locks, tools, etc.
The best way to make extra money while out on the road is to check freight load boards and make sure you never make a run without a full trailer. Picking up an extra load here and there can significantly add to your bottom line. Freight brokers will match you with a load that needs to be transported in the direction you're driving. There's no point in hauling and empty trailer, so make extra cash by keeping your truck full.
It is possible to make good money driving a truck, but you have to be careful on how you spend your time and budget your money accordingly. You've invested a lot of time and money in your truck driving education, so put it to work for you and you'll be rewarded with a larger paycheck.
About this Author
Mr. Abernathy is a marketing agent of GetLoaded.com. The online load boards offer freight shippers and haulers a convenient place online where they can match freight accordingly. GetLoaded.com offers 24/7 service, and a variety of tools to help companies and individuals move freight from point A to point B. For more information on their Load Boards please visit their website.
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